Seoul: The number of babies born in South Korea increased for the first time in nine years in 2024, driven by a post-pandemic rise in marriages, evolving attitudes toward parenthood, and demographic changes, the statistics agency said Wednesday.
According to Yonhap News Agency, a total of 238,300 babies were born last year, marking a 3.6 percent increase from a record low of 230,000 in 2023, as reported by Statistics Korea. This figure had been on a decline since 2015, when it stood at 438,400. The total fertility rate, which represents the average number of children a woman is expected to have in her lifetime, also showed an increase for the first time in nine years, reaching 0.75 in 2024, up from 0.72 the previous year. This figure surpassed the government's earlier forecast of 0.74, although it still remains among the lowest worldwide and about half the average of OECD member nations.
Despite the increase, the fertility rate continues to fall short of the replacement level of 2.1 births per woman, necessary for maintaining a stable population without immigration. The government aims to raise this rate to 1 by 2030. "The rising trend in marriages that began after the COVID-19 pandemic has continued," said Park Hyun-jeong, an official from Statistics Korea, during a press briefing. The number of marriages in 2024 was the highest since 1996, with 222,422 couples tying the knot, marking a 14.9 percent increase from the previous year.
Statistics Korea attributes the rise in childbirths to a combination of more positive perceptions toward marriage and parenthood among the younger population, as revealed in its biennial social survey, and demographic shifts, with an increase in the population of people in their early 30s, a key childbearing age group. Notably, the birth rate among women in their early 30s was 70.4 per 1,000 women, followed by 46 for those in their late 30s and 20.7 for those in their late 20s.
South Korea has long faced challenges with a declining birthrate, attributed to economic burdens and shifting societal norms leading many young people to delay or forgo marriage and parenthood. In response, the government has implemented policies to support marriage and child-rearing, including financial benefits for newlyweds and expanded childcare assistance. Despite the rebound, concerns persist over whether the trend will continue, as the number of women of childbearing age and the population in their 30s are projected to decline from 2027.
Experts view the rebound as a positive development after nearly a decade of decline but caution against assuming the trend will persist. Kim Young-mi, a professor and former member of the government committee on low birth rates, noted that the marginal increase in the fertility rate makes it challenging to consider the rebound a success given the significant past decline. Lee Cheol-hee, an economics professor at Seoul National University, highlighted the potential negative impact of recent political crises and economic downturns.
Joo Hyung-hwan, vice chair of the presidential committee on birthrate, emphasized the importance of addressing the issue promptly, suggesting the establishment of a "population strategy ministry" to devise consistent policies. Joo also stressed the need to encourage the paternal leave system and support for infertility treatments, noting that the "golden time for improving fertility rates will be until 2031."